Cecilia Rodríguez: Environmental Policy Leader, Entrepreneur, and Innovator Driving Sustainable Transformation in Colombia and Latin America

Cecilia Rodríguez is one of Colombia’s most influential environmental leaders, combining public service, entrepreneurship, and innovation to drive sustainable development across Latin America. A former Minister of Environment, Housing and Land Development of Colombia, former Senator, and former adviser to the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Rodríguez is widely recognized for her ability to translate science, policy, and economics into actionable solutions that benefit communities, ecosystems, and economies.

She is the co-founder and Chairman of Corporación Bioparque, an environmental and social consultancy founded in 2004, now celebrating more than 20 years of continuous impact. Under her leadership, Bioparque has evolved beyond traditional compliance consulting, integrating technology-driven tools and human-centered design to help companies navigate complex environmental regulations while improving performance and accountability. Rodríguez’s hallmark strength lies in digesting dense regulatory frameworks, scientific models, and economic trends and converting them into clear, strategic insights for decision-makers.

Over the past two decades, Rodríguez has served as a trusted consultant and conflict-resolution specialist in numerous highly complex environmental and social cases for major corporations throughout Latin America, earning a reputation for collaborative leadership and results-oriented solutions.

During her tenure as Minister, Rodríguez led transformative reforms. She issued new national regulations for drinking water supply, sanitation, and domestic waste services, actively promoting recycling and reuse. She launched the Environmental Community Promoters program, empowering local leaders for environmental conservation across 600 municipalities. To strengthen institutional performance, she established new efficiency criteria to evaluate Colombia’s 32 regional environmental authorities and significantly improved environmental licensing response times.

A strong advocate for sustainable economic development, Rodríguez spearheaded the inclusion of tax incentives for environmental investments, including income tax exemptions for ecotourism and renewable energy projects, as part of Colombia’s 2002 national tax reform. Additional achievements include contributions to the current Colombian Lease Regime and reforms aimed at modernizing environmental governance.

Beyond government and consulting, Rodríguez is the founder and publisher of Catorce 6,  a recognized independent environmental magazine. The publication has received seven national journalism awards and two additional recognitions for excellence in the dissemination of environmental knowledge. She has also served for two decades as a jury member for Corporate Social Responsibility awards and currently acts as an independent board member and Chair of the Corporate Governance and Sustainability Committee of a publicly traded Colombian multinational company.

Her experience also includes hands-on leadership in ecotourism, through a concession contract managing services in Isla de Salamanca National Park between 2010 and 2016.

Rodríguez holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Universidad de los Andes, a specialization in Water Resources and Urban Water Sustainability, and is a certified trainer in negotiation and conflict resolution by Conflict Management Inc. (Cambridge, Massachusetts). She has completed executive studies in Innovation and Business Transformation at UC Berkeley (2016) and Strategy, Innovation, and Construction Technologies at Stanford University (2024). She is fluent in Spanish and English.

Milestone:
Cecilia Rodríguez is currently launching an AI-powered platform for compulsory environmental performance reporting. The platform is poised to disrupt the environmental consulting industry, redefining how companies measure, report, and improve environmental performance.

Cecilia Rodríguez continues to lead at the forefront of environmental governance, innovation, and sustainability—shaping solutions not only for compliance, but for lasting, systemic change.

Worldwide Women’s Association Member Cecilia Rodriguez is looking forward to networking with you.

Josie King Brings Decades of Clinical Precision to the World of Words

Chattanooga, TN — After decades of serving others as a Registered Nurse across some of the most demanding healthcare environments, Josie King has embarked on a new professional journey—one that continues her lifelong commitment to helping people, this time through the written word.

Josie King is the founder of Proofreading Studio (www.proofreadingstudio.com), a professional proofreading and editing service dedicated to helping authors of all kinds transform their writing into clear, polished, publication-ready work that truly shines. With a career rooted in accuracy, critical thinking, and attention to detail, King brings a rare level of precision and care to every project she touches.

Before founding Proofreading Studio, King spent decades as a Registered Nurse, working in a wide range of clinical and leadership settings including Neonatal ICU, Adult ICU, Coronary Care Unit (CCU), Telephone Triage, Management, Home Health, and Hospice care. She earned her Associate Degree in Nursing from the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky, and built a career defined by compassion, responsibility, and trust.

“Healthcare taught me the importance of clarity, accuracy, and empathy—skills that translate seamlessly into editing,” King says. “Authors put their hearts into their words. My role is to honor that effort by helping their message come through clearly and confidently.”

Through Proofreading Studio, King works with writers at every stage, ensuring manuscripts, articles, and professional documents are not only free of errors, but refined, cohesive, and impactful. Her approach blends technical expertise with a deep respect for each author’s voice.

Beyond her professional life, King is a proud mother of three and grandmother to five, all of whom she describes as a constant source of joy and inspiration.

For more information, visit www.proofreadingstudio.com, connect on LinkedIn at Linkedin.com/in/josie-king, or contact Josie King directly at josie@proofreadingstudio.com.

Worldwide Women’s Association Member Josie King is looking forward to networking with you.

Tara-Lee Corriveau Launches Nourished Minds, Integrating Mental Health Care and Food as Medicine to Support Whole-Person Healing

Tara-Lee Corriveau, a dedicated social worker with 18 years of experience in the mental health and addictions field, has announced the launch of Nourished Minds, a wellness initiative that bridges mental health support with the transformative power of nutrition and Food as Medicine.

Throughout her career, Corriveau has worked with diverse and often underserved populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness, youth involved in the justice system, and people navigating complex mental health and addiction challenges. Her work has supported thousands of individuals in gaining deeper self-understanding, resilience, and hope during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

Corriveau’s approach to care is deeply informed by lived experience. In 2017, she was diagnosed with bipolar II disorder and an anxiety disorder—an experience that profoundly shaped her perspective as a practitioner and strengthened her compassion, empathy, and commitment to holistic healing.

“My lived experience has given me a deeper understanding of how mental health impacts every aspect of life,” said Corriveau. “Healing is not one-dimensional. It requires care for both the mind and the body, and nourishment plays a critical role in that process.”

As the Founder of Nourished Minds, Corriveau is embarking on a new chapter that integrates her extensive mental health expertise with her training as a GLO Food as Medicine Culinary Professional.  Through Nourished Minds, she promotes the use of nutritious, accessible foods that support mental wellness, emotional regulation, and overall health.

Nourished Minds is rooted in the belief that food can be both practical and healing. Corriveau’s work focuses on empowering individuals with the knowledge and confidence to incorporate nourishing foods into their daily lives—reducing barriers, building routine, and fostering a sense of care and connection through the kitchen.

“Food is not about perfection—it’s about consistency, nourishment, and self-compassion,” Corriveau added. “When we learn how to fuel our bodies in supportive ways, we create space for mental clarity, stability, and hope.”

Through education, advocacy, and hands-on teaching, Nourished Minds aims to redefine wellness by addressing mental health through an integrated, human-centered lens. Corriveau’s mission is to make wellness attainable, sustainable, and deeply personal—one meal at a time.

About Nourished Minds

Nourished Minds is a mental wellness and nutrition-focused initiative founded by Tara-Lee Corriveau, a social worker with 18 years of experience in mental health and addictions. Combining lived experience, professional expertise, and Food as Medicine principles, Nourished Minds supports individuals in cultivating mental and physical well-being through accessible, nourishing food and compassionate education.

Worldwide Women’s Association Member Tara-Lee Corriveau is looking forward to networking with you.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL FAITH E. WHITE
Deputy Director, J6
Joint Force Headquarters, Louisiana National Guard
Jackson Barracks, New Orleans, Louisiana

Lieutenant Colonel Faith E. White serves as the Deputy Director, J6, Joint Force Headquarters, Louisiana National Guard, where she leads C4 infrastructure management and provides strategic guidance on all J6 matters. In this role, she establishes policies and procedures and delivers expert advice and recommendations to commanders and stakeholders during steady-state operations and across the full spectrum of all-hazards response.

Lt. Col. White began her military career in July 2005 when she enlisted in the Louisiana Air National Guard. After completing the Interservice Mechanic Apprentice Course and the Vehicle Equipment and Maintenance Apprentice Course, she served as a Vehicle Equipment and Maintenance Apprentice with the 236th Combat Communications Squadron (CBCS) in Hammond, Louisiana. In February 2009, she earned her commission as a Second Lieutenant through the Air National Guard Academy of Military Science and was assigned as a Network Systems Officer with the 236th CBCS. She later served as the unit’s Administrative Officer and subsequently as a Network Operations Officer, expanding her leadership and technical expertise in expeditionary communications.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Lt. Col. White was assigned as the S6 for the Medical Monitoring Station at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, where she was responsible for delivering and sustaining all communications systems supporting providers, patients, military members, contractors, and staff. In 2021, she transitioned to Joint Force Headquarters as the Information System Security Manager, J6. In 2023, she successfully led the Louisiana National Guard to an excellent rating on both classified and unclassified networks during the Command Cyber Readiness Inspection conducted by the Department of Defense.

Lt. Col. White currently serves as the Officer in Charge of the Joint Incident Satellite Communications Capabilities package in support of the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Emergency Response Force Package. This unit type code is responsible for preparing and executing contingency communications in support of disaster response and relief operations. Her exercise experience includes Operation Vigilant Guard, Operation Cascadia Rising, EXEVAL 2014, EXEVAL 2017, and numerous additional joint and interagency training events. She has also served as the Alternate Family Readiness Officer since 2011, supporting partial mobilizations of the 236th CBCS in 2011 and 2017.

In addition to her domestic response efforts, Lt. Col. White deployed in July 2017 in support of Operations INHERENT RESOLVE and FREEDOM’S SENTINEL as the Contingency Communications Branch Chief, Communications Directorate (A6), Combined Air Operations Center, Headquarters U.S. Air Forces Central Command, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. There, she led a team of 15 Airmen delivering tactical communications capabilities, deconflicting more than 20,000 air tasking orders, and engineering the first-ever voice and radar services network across a single satellite link while forward deployed to Al Asad, Iraq. She managed over 42 tactical communications kits across 12 countries and oversaw systems supporting a 120,000-aircraft military air picture. Her leadership directly enabled 519 coalition airstrikes resulting in the elimination of more than 1,900 enemy combatants.

Lt. Col. White has been a key contributor to state and federal disaster response efforts, including the August 2016 Louisiana Flood, Hurricane Laura in 2020, Hurricane Ida in 2021, and Emergency Management Assistance Compact support to Florida for Hurricane Milton in 2024, serving as a lead provider of emergent tactical communications support.

Education
Bachelor of Arts, Information Systems, Southeastern Louisiana University
Bachelor of Arts, Business Management, Southeastern Louisiana University
Master of Business Intelligence, Grantham University
Academy of Military Science
Basic Communications Officer–Engineer Training
Squadron Officer School (correspondence)
Air Command and Staff College, Arizona State University
CompTIA Security+

Major Awards and Decorations
Meritorious Service Medal; Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters; Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters; Army Achievement Medal; Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with seven oak leaf clusters; Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters; National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Armed Forces Service Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal; Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal; Air and Space Longevity Service Award; Air and Space Training Ribbon; Washington, D.C. National Guard Community Service Ribbon; Louisiana Achievement Medal; Louisiana War Cross; Louisiana Emergency Service Medal; Louisiana General Excellence Medal; Louisiana Longevity Medal; and the Louisiana F. Edward Hébert Meritorious Unit Commendation.

Effective Dates of Promotion
Second Lieutenant – February 20, 2009
First Lieutenant – February 20, 2011
Captain – February 20, 2013
Major – December 1, 2017
Lieutenant Colonel – December 1, 2024

Worldwide Women’s Association Member Faith White is looking forward to networking with you.